On April 10 Dartmouth announced it had received the largest single donation in its history—$100 million—given anonymously. It comes at a time when Dartmouth is under attack in many areas, as are many other colleges and universities, and gives a wonderful psychological boost to the College. Half is earmarked to support President Hanlon’s recently announced cluster initiative: 30 to 40 new professors, brought to Dartmouth during the next 10 years to head multi-disciplinary clusters that will study national and international problems such as healthcare, education, the world economy, energy and the environment. The hope is that the breath of the new approach will contribute to a better understanding of the world’s problems and will advance some solutions. The other half will support other academic programs, such as a society of fellows for postdoctoral students to bring new ideas to world and national problems, and a significant expansion of Thayer School. The gift also includes a two-to-one challenge to increase the investment size to $200 million by the end of 2015.


President Hanlon has called for an end to the high-risk, harmful behavior now on campus. He proposes a new sexual assault program that includes mandatory expulsion, an external investigatory process, a new center focused on violence prevention, student training to recognize potential problems, and the continuation of a successful high-risk drinking initiative. He has met with students, faculty and trustees and says, “This is not a mandate from the top. To be successful every member of the community—especially the students—must be part of the solution.” President Hanlon was one of nine college and university presidents recently invited to the White House to discuss campus sexual assault problems. 


Dartmouth undergraduate costs will rise 2.9 percent to $61,947 for the 2014-15 year—the lowest increase since 1977. Thayer School will see the same increase, Tuck is up 4.5 percent to $61,605 and the Geisel School of Medicine is up 5 percent to $56,104. Financial aid will increase to $85 million; since 2007 Dartmouth has increased scholarship awards by more than 50 percent.


I’m sorry to report the death of David C. “Bing” Donaldson, our wonderful head agent. Bing was a true Dartmouth loyalist and an enthusiastic supporter of our class. Condolences to his family.


—John M. Jenkins, 80 Lyme Road, Apt. 304, Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 643-2757; mmjenkins@kahres.org